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Data released by the National Drought Mitigation Center shows Colorado’s drought has expanded from 34 percent to 76 percent in the 2nd half of January. The data also show severe drought conditions on the Western Slope tripled in area. Denver is in moderate drought for the first time since May of 2017.

There could be some relief on the way.

USDA meteorologist, Brad Rippey, says the warmer weather that is expected could actually contribute to heavier snowfall in some parts of the country including Colorado.

“We’re trending toward a much more stormy pattern.”

As of January 5 all major river basins in the southwestern part of the state were between 20-40% of where they should be for snow accumulation.

The long-range outlook from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center indicates that while a few storm systems are possible, more mild and dry weather is likely in store for much of the state through the winter.